A 36-unit residential building being planned for Binghamton's West Side could feature the city's tiniest apartments.

City council has approved the sale of four properties to Charles Ackerman, who hopes to build the micro-apartment complex.

The Binghamton man said he wants to provide "ultra-low income" apartments for those who are homeless.

Ackerman said the three-story building he envisions would have 150-square-foot apartments. He said the structure would be constructed using modular units that would be lifted into place by a crane.

A rendering of an "ultra-low income" apartment complex proposed for Charlotte Street. (Provided: City of Binghamton)
A rendering of an "ultra-low income" apartment complex proposed for Charlotte Street. (Provided: City of Binghamton)
loading...

The project would be located on four parcels between 35 and 41 Charlotte Street. The city-owned land has been vacant for several years. The selling price for the property was set at $7,000.

Ackerman said he will be working to obtain state approval for a building that will have such small apartments. He said there are similar-sized units elsewhere in New York.

The developer said he plans to finance the project himself. Last August, he estimated it would cost $1.4 million. He doesn't have a revised cost estimate but he noted construction costs have continued to increase since last summer.

A view of the east end of the Charlotte Street project site on January 7, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A view of the east end of the Charlotte Street project site on January 7, 2025. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Ackerman said the project "is going to require a very healthy PILOT" - a payment-in-lieu-of taxes agreement - if it's to become a reality.

If the project clears all of the local and state hurdles, Ackerman believes construction could start in the next 18 to 24 months.

The city could take possession of the parcels if construction on the complex doesn't begin within five years.

WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: email bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

LOOK: Cool Car Features We Kind of Miss

Kids these days don't know what they're missing out on! But hey, let's be real, some of those old car features were pretty awesome. Yeah, they might've been a bit risky and even tried to kill us, but they made our rides feel way cooler.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

LOOK: Major US city skylines in photos, then and now

Stacker consulted photo archives and the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat to see how 15 U.S. city skylines evolved in the past century.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Richest billionaires in Pennsylvania

Stacker compiled a list of richest billionaires in Pennsylvania using data from Forbes.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM